FEAST OF THE TRANSFIGURATION OF THE LORD Shining like the sun The story of Jesus’ Transfiguration is important enough to be part of Matthew, Mark, and Luke's gospels
MEMORIAL OF THE DEDICATION OF THE BASILICA OF SAINT MARY MAJOR The Word made flesh set in stone How many papal basilicas are there in Rome? St. Peters gets primary attention, but actually there are three more, each with
MEMORIAL OF JOHN VIANNEY, PRIEST Come to the curer of souls Most male Catholic saints were priests. Some were priests whose great intellect sparked important theological concepts. Others traveled to exotic places to teach about Christ. Still others
A port for any storm Jesus’ mother Mary has many titles—one of them is Our Lady, Star of the Sea. Under this name, she is a protector of seafarers. But Mary is a guiding star for all of us as we seek her son
EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME The glass is still half empty August is National Water Quality Month, which may not sound exciting, or even like a religious issue. Yet the sacred character of water is
MEMORIAL OF ALPHONSUS LIGUORI, BISHOP, DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH Speak plainly Alphonsus was a bright and gifted youth, earning doctorates in both civil and canon law in Naples at 16. He was so small at the time of
MEMORIAL OF IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA, PRIEST Soldier us through Saint Ignatius of Loyola died in 1566 of Roman fever, a type of malaria. During a time of pandemic, it seems appropriate to call
Deliver us from evil The United Nations has declared today “World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.” Church leaders have been outspoken on this global issue that targets poor and marginalized people, robbing them of their God-given dignity. In today’s gospel Jesus
MEMORIAL OF MARTHA Let Martha be an inspiration We remember today a friend of Jesus who with her brother, Lazarus, and her sister, Mary, provided a home of friendship that was a place of respite for the Lord. She could prepare a meal and
Sow the seeds of faith Blessed Stanley Rother, a missionary and the first U.S. priest to be declared a martyr, died this day in 1981. Not only did he love and serve his flock of indigenous Guatemalans, he helped build a
What is the parable of your life? Jesus used a lot of parables to teach his followers—so many that his disciples asked him why. So that the “mysteries of the kingdom of heaven are
SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Treat the children well Happy Parents’ Day! Children are the treasure in every society. For a viable future, we have to invest deeply in their upbringing
MEMORIAL OF SHARBEL MAKHLŪF, PRIEST Healing measures Legend says healing might be gained by traveling to Lebanon and praying at the tomb of Sharbel Makhlūf (1828-98), a Maronite monk known for ...
Your turn to keep the faith going In today’s gospel Jesus notes that the crowd hears him but doesn’t understand. Misunderstanding the message of Jesus was a problem from the beginning, which is why we all can use help in understanding ...
FEAST OF MARY MAGDALENE, APOSTLE OF THE APOSTLES Be the bearer of Good News Contrary to the mistaken legend that arose later, Mary Magdalene was not a prostitute. She was a friend and follower of Jesus who ...
MEMORIAL OF LAWRENCE OF BRINDISI, PRIEST, DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH Operate out of love Lawrence of Brindisi, an Italian priest, surrendered everything he had to God’s will. His offering consisted not only of the poverty...
MEMORIAL OF APOLLINARIS, BISHOP, MARTYR Stay the course According to tradition, the Syrian Saint Apollinaris was made a bishop of Ravenna, Italy by Saint Peter himself. The miracles and...
SIXTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME With friends like this . . . we're blessed! We tend to find what we’re looking for. First Bishop of Boston John Cheverus, who died this day in 1836, always sought—and brought—friendship. Forced .....
A tireless voice for justice During the era of European conquest of the Americas, Native American people were typically regarded as savages who must be “conquered” and coerced into conversion or pushed....
Kyrie eleison, down the road that I must travel The Greek words Kyrie eleison are some of the most ancient—and powerful—words of the Christian liturgy: “Lord, have mercy.” Typically we find these words in the penitential rite where the church asks God’s mercy and forgiveness. But these words are